Today there are about 25 million women in the age groups 14-59 afflicted with some form of HPV. 3 million of them are said to have been infected by any one of the four deadly viruses capable of causing Cervical Carcinoma and Genital warts. The vaccine stated in one of the above paragraphs namely Gardasil came to market only in June 2006. The HPV is found to decline with advances of age. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-2004 of the U.
S states that HPV infection is widely prevalent among the girls of 20-24 years of age. 45 % of those tested had some form of the HPV. 25% of the 14-19 age group also had the infection. The above said groups were not sexually active, though. Those who were sexually active had 50 % and 40 % of them in the age groups of 20-24 and 14-19 respectively with HPV infections. (Dunne F 2007) American Social Health Association reports that 14000 cases of cervical cancer are reported in the U, .S. and 5000 Americans die of cervical cancer each year.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists advocates that women of age 21 and above and those who are active in sex should undergo general reproductive related tests every year besides Pap tests at periodical intervals for guarding against developing Cervical cancer due to HPV infection. (ASHA) Discussion The literature review gives us a bird’s eye view of the burden of the disease caused by HPV.
Cervical Cancer being in the highest incidence in developing countries and second highest in developed countries next to breast cancer, needs to be checked at an early stage. Fortunately vaccine has been developed and it is said to be 100 % effective for those who will have it before starting of sex life. This however is only going to help future prevention provided sufficient supply is made available. At the current rate of infections, it seems almost every woman in the world should have to take the vaccine routinely like small pox and other vaccines are being taken.
Given the dimensions of the disease burden, surgery is the only resort as opined by Benjamin Friedman, an oncology specialist at Data monitor since in anyway vaccines are only to prevent and not to cure. (Carmichael 2007) The threat of the burden is a continuing one because 80 % women sexually active women will get HPV infection at the age of 50, though 90 % of them will likely get over naturally. World wide 25 million deaths due to cervical cancer occur every year. (Health Forbes). Conclusion Women’s reactions to their getting cervical cancer are disturbing.
They attribute the infection to their sex partners who are not as clean as the women are in sex habits. Often their reaction relate to the imaginary inferiority complex, worries, blaming themselves, helplessness and annoyance. “Most women disclosed their disease to significant others, usually to a sexual partner. Women’s lack of accurate knowledge may contribute to the array of emotions they experience. Whereas education about HPV may reduce the potency of these emotions, information alone may be inadequate for achieving optimal patient care.
Health care providers can be important in treating the emotional elements associated with diagnosis as well as the condition itself. ”(KK Perrin et al 2006) It is responsibility of the policy makers and men in particular that women as weaker sex should preserved and safeguarded by taking proper care of them in the interest of ensuring disease free society in the world as without healthy women there can no continuity of life of mankind on this planet.
References AC Ansink 2007 “Cervical cancer in developing countries: how can we reduce the burden?Awareness raising, screening, treatment and palliation. ” Trop Doct. 2007 Apr; 37(2):67-70. ASHA American Social Health Association “HPV fats facts” www. ashastd. org>accessed 30 September 2007 Butcher M (2001) “Education for women undergoing HPV testing” Prof nurse, 2001 Jan ; 16(4):1044-7/ Carmichael Helen 2007 “Therapeutic vaccines target HPV (Cervical cancer) Chemistry and Industry 15 (August 13, 2007): p. 6 (1) C. Feeley “Advances in cervical cancer screening and human Papillomavirus vaccines. ”
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